Gaurav Ghei takes control after firing 65 in round two

Chandigarh, May 29 (UNI) Gaurav Ghei established one-strike lead after 36 holes of the PGTI Players Championship at Chandigarh Golf Club here today. Matching Ranjit Singh's first round effort of seven under 65 that took his total to ten under 134. Ghei's bogey-free 65 also helped him equal the course record.

Mukesh Kumar's six under 66 ensured he ended day two in second place, one stroke off the lead. Ashok Kumar was a further two strokes behind in third place.

Ranjit Singh (73), the overnight leader, slipped to fourth place with an overall score of six under 138. The cut was made at five over 149 as 54 professionals and two amateurs made it to the weekend rounds.

Gaurav Ghei climbed from overnight tied sixth to thetop of the leaderboard after a near-flawless first round. Today, Ghei made a brilliant start with back to back birdies on the second and third.

Thereafter, he picked up the pace with three consecutive birdies from the sixth to the eighth. Ghei missed out on making a fourth consecutive birdie when he could not convert a three feet putt on the ninth hole. His last birdie came on the 16th. Ghei had carded 69 in the first round.

Mukesh Kumar shot into contention as he followed up his first round 69 with a score of 66 today. Mukesh is currently second as his total now stands at nine under 135. The professional from Mhow knocked down three consecutive birdies on the eighth, ninth and 10th after having birdied the second and bogeyed the sixth. He then bogeyed the 12th by missing a two feet putt for par. Mukesh gathered momentum once again as he sank birdies on the 13th, 14th, 16th and 17th.

Ashok Kumar (70, 67) climbed from overnight tied 13th to third.

His overall score reads seven under 137. He fired six birdies and dropped one bogey in his second round. Ranjit Singh (65, 73), the overnight leader, is one stroke behind Ashok in fourth place.

Vijay Kumar, Harmeet Kahlon and Harendra Gupta are placed tied fifth at five under 139. Harmeet Kahlon followed up his first round 67 with an even par 72.Gurbaaz Mann and Arjun Singh are tied eighth at four under 140.Rahul Ganapathy and Gaganjeet Bhullar are currently in tied 12th position with an identical total of two under 142.

Digvijay Singh shot a second consecutive 74 for a total of four over 148. He is currently tied 35th. Angad Cheema (71, 77) and Rahul Bakshi (74, 74) were the two amateurs who made the cut.They are both tied 35th with an overall score of four over 148.

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